Welcome back to Just Curious, Strong Women’s weekly series exploring all the random health and fitness questions you’ve always wondered about but never got the answers to.

This week, we’re exploring the reasons why you might notice more hair falling out in the shower, and when this hair loss could be a sign of something going on. 

While most women aren’t as affected by hair loss as their male counterparts, it can quickly become a cause for concern when you start seeing strands on the shower floor.

Everyone knows losing a little bit of hair in the shower is normal (anyone with long hair will have the drain-blocking clumps to prove it) but seeing an increase in the number of hairs you’re losing can be worrying – especially if you’re not sure what’s causing it.

So, what’s the ‘normal’ amount of hair to lose in the shower? When should you worry about how much you’re losing? And what can an increase in hair loss be a sign of? We asked the experts. 

A process called shedding is often to blame for any hair you see falling out in the shower – and it’s completely natural. In fact, most people shed between 50-150 hairs every day.

“It depends on the number of follicles a person has on their head (which is determined at birth), together with the amount of hair per follicle,” explains trichologist Eva Proudman. “Some of these ‘stay loose’ within the hair until you get in the shower due to a natural electric charge within the hair and will fall out when you wash and condition your hair.” 

Moe Harb, hair expert at Beauty Club London, adds that the process of washing your hair can also lead hairs that are due to shed to fall out earlier than they might have otherwise.

“The combination of warm water, shampooing and massaging the scalp can help loosen the hairs that are already in the shedding phase, making them more noticeable,” he says. 

A number of factors can influence how much hair we lose in the shower – not all of which even have to do with the health of your hair. In fact, the seasons can even play a role.

“It’s not uncommon to notice more hair shedding during the colder months,” Harb explains. “As temperatures drop, the air becomes much drier, both outdoors and indoors with the central heating. This lack of moisture can lead to a drier scalp and hair, which makes hair more prone to breakage and shedding.”

He continues: “Additionally, during autumn and winter, our bodies tend to conserve energy and warmth, and the focus on keeping our core warm can mean that less blood circulates to the scalp. This reduced circulation may affect the hair’s growth cycle, causing more hair to enter the shedding phase than usual.” 

Of course, your bodily health also has a role to play. According to Proudman, hair shedding can be triggered by everything from “periods of stress” to “dietary changes, illness, medications, hair care, lifestyle and so much more”. Your hormones can also trigger an increase in shedding; women who are going through perimenopause or menopause or are pregnant will usually notice an increase in the amount of hair they’re losing.

And sometimes, Proudman adds, it could be something as simple as changing your hair wash routine. “If you normally wash daily and then move to every three or four days, you may see an increase in shedding,” she says. “This isn’t concerning as it’s just the accumulation of the naturally shed hair that has built up over a few days instead of being shed and removed daily, but it can look scary in the shower.” 

If you’ve noticed a significant increase in hair loss – whether in the shower, when you’re brushing or just day-to-day – that’s leading to symptoms such as thinning, bald spots or scalp irritation, it’s worth booking in to see your GP or a hair specialist.

“Early assessment and treatment can make a significant difference in managing hair loss and promoting healthy regrowth,” Harb explains.

Proudman agrees: “A consultation with a trichologist will explore all the factors that could be causing your hair loss and may include blood tests (including iron level tests) to help diagnose the root causes and develop a treatment plan that will deliver the best results.” 

Images: Getty